The first expression of the mission entrusted to our congregation was that of education, a comprehensive education that aimed at the full development of the human person.
Since our foundation in 1843, many schools and other educational institutions have been established, first in Quebec, then on three continents. We have always been guided by the spirituality of welcome and presence to the other that characterized our foundress.
A focus on children in need
Marie-Rose Durocher dreamed the existence of a community of teaching religious who would establish small convents in each parish, where young people — rich as well as poor — would receive a first class education.
She always had a special concern for children in great need; revenue from the boarding schools helped keep the adjacent public schools open.
A diversity of institutions
Throughout the years, we have focused our energies in responding to needs of the various communities in which we live and minister. We have achieved this through a variety of institutions: boarding schools, countryside schoolhouses, public schools and specialized schools such as kindergartens, teacher training colleges, regional domestic science schools, schools of music, commercial training schools, art studios for painting and drawing, as well as university education.
Today, our congregation still has several educational institutions in the United States, Lesotho and Manitoba. In Quebec, our schools have become secular and private corporations that continue to draw inspiration from our charism.